CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie has been a solid starter during his first year with the Broncos. / Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports

by Lindsay H. Jones, USA TODAY Sports

by Lindsay H. Jones, USA TODAY Sports

JERSEY CITY - When Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie arrived in the NFL in 2008, he told himself he'd play five seasons.

As a player from tiny Tennessee State, he figured five years would be plenty.

Now Rodgers-Cromartie is nearing the completion of year No. 6, and he said Monday that if his Denver Broncos win the Super Bowl, it would likely be his last.

Rodgers-Cromartie said he's thought about retirement for a while and has told teammates about his leave-on-top dreams.

"They think I'm joking," Rodgers-Cromartie said.

Rodgers-Cromartie signed a one-year $4 million deal with the Broncos last March. Retiring would prevent him from cashing in on what will likely be substantial offers in free agency after a strong season as Denver's starting right cornerback.

But he said the money doesn't matter, not if could leave with a Super Bowl Ring and return to his hometown near Tampa.

What would he do?

"I'd just chill," Rodgers-Cromartie said.

And if the chilling became too boring, he'd like to use the psychology classes he took in college to become a high school guidance counselor.